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Vanvaas Retreat
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Vanvaas Retreat

The ancient Vedic text divided human life into four stages or Ashrams based on an individual's Karma and Dharma. These stages signify the duties to be practiced in one’s lifetime. On completion of the first three stages - Brahmacharya (disciplined life of student), Grihastha (social and family life) and Vanaprastha (Partial renunciation - moving away for the material ties) one enters the last stage of life which is completely devoted to God and away from worldly ties. This stage is known as Sanyasa (renunciation). During this period, one becomes completely free from all worldly obligations and gets absorbed in Bhagavata bhajan and sadhana. “Vanvaas: The Retreat” located in the peaceful realms of Rajaji National Park aims to provide an immaculate abode to people in the vicinity of the Ganga river so that they're able to achieve salvation while doing the work of religion and meditation.

Where are we located

To realize the concept of The Retreat, a place named Garkhal 18 kilometers from Rishikesh has been chosen. Garkhal is located in the middle of the dense forest of Rajaji National Park on the banks of the river Ganges near Rishikesh. This location between the river and the dense forest is appropriate for the hypothesis of exile (Vanvaas). The natural landscape is completely surrounded by dense forests and mountains with the enthralling sound of the holy river filling the environment.

In Our Vicinity

There are many places to be discovered around Garkhal and we encourage our residents to do so and will also facilitate the same. One kilometer from Garkhal is Devtakhal where a small platform of Loha Siddha Baba is located on the roadside. Here people offer iron (metal) and worship the Vana Devta, praying for their happiness, prosperity, and the auspicious journey ahead.There are two mountain peaks around this platform, the one in front is called 'Morchawala Dand and the one right behind is called 'Kuvandand'. Moving down another 2 kilometers one will reach Sainawal from where the entire Bean river is visible.

Explore Historicity

Dr. Shiv Prasad Dabralji published a research treatise on the history of Garhwal. According to their indications, in the period around 1514 AD and 1530 AD, the princely state of Garhwal was ruled by Queen Naktirani who refused to pay Babur the tax that he used to collect from other aristocracies. An enraged Babur decided to lead an attack on the queen's kingdom. Upon getting the news of this offensive, the queen deployed her army at the main gateways of Garhwal. The Morchawal Dand, close to Garkhal, was adorned with cannons and a military camp was set up for a face-to-face battle at Sainawali. Babur's army from Chandighat moved upstream along the Ganga river, reaching the Bean river via Cheela, Gohri. Babur wanted to enter Garhwal via the Bean River, but his intentions were repulsed as by the cannon shells which started raining on him from Morchawala Dand near Garkhal. Facing such heavy resistance, he was forced to retreat.

Our Ashram

Other than the 11 Kutiyas that will be constructed amidst the infinite sources nature offers to us our naturally equipped hamlet at Garkhal will consist of a Gaushala and Hanuman Mandir in its first phase. In the second phase, 11 Kutiyas will be constructed for the dignitaries who come to the retreat. The first Kuti will be named after Yogi Adityanath. Thereafter we'll have Ajit Kuti in the name of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Bipin Kuti in the name of CDS General Bipin Rawat, Bhaskar Kuti after Bhaskar Khulbe, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Anil Kuti in the name of NTRO Chairman Anil Dhasmana, NDMA member Rajendra Singh Rajendra Kuti in the name of, Ajay Kuti in the name of Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, Hero of Kedarnath reconstruction, Devendra Kuti in the name of former Naval Chief Admiral DK Joshi, Prasoon Kuti in the name of Censor Board Chairman Prasun Joshi, Mangala Kuti will be named after spiritual guru Mangala Mata and Basanti Kuti will be named after folk singer Basanti Bisht. Apart from this, all facilities like meditation center and yoga center, open theater, collective eatery and library will be available in Vanvaas.
Vanvaas Retreat